As you may have guessedfrom my Igavania list a while back, I’m a bit of a fan of the Metroidvania genre. While I’ve played many different styles, the ones I most prefer are the more retro-styled adventures. And what says retro more than pixel art?
For simplicity’s sake, I’m counting both sprites and pixels as essentially the same thing in this write-up. Not only does that allow me to include some tremendous games, but both styles evoke a sense of retro-gaming nostalgia.
10 Best Pixel Art JRPGs
Modern games like Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes are keeping the spirit of pixelated JRPGs alive and well.
So here it is, our list of the Best Pixel Art Metroidvanias. Ranging from well-known examples to rogue-likes, cartoony fun, and Souls-like suffering, these are some of the very best examples of the genre in recent years.
Deeper and Deeper
You might think that Metroidvanias and rogue-likes would easily work hand in hand. After all, the genre is so much about exploration that the allure of limitless possibilities seems like a perfect fit. But in execution, it’s a very hard magic trick to pull off successfully.
One of the few examples that mostly worked wasChasm. It throws you into a pit full of mystery and danger and looks amazing. This is a stunning example of pixel art done right, which I certainly appreciated.
Where it fell somewhat short was in how linear the game was. Yes, I know it’s a rogue-like, but that should have allowed it to be more creative than safe in its approach.
Ultimately, it wasn’t a perfect game, but it’s a worthy addition to the halls of pixel-art Metroidvanias.
99 Years of Shadows
A Splash of Color
PC, Nintendo Switch
Metroidvania
Release Date
August 19, 2025
It’s always a balancing act when you help crowdfund a project. I was one of those backers of9 Years of Shadowsback in the day, and had huge hopes for the adventure. And while it didn’t necessarily satisfy all of them, I still felt it was an enjoyable Metroidvania.
One reason for that is the scope of the game, which is a sort of mythological adventure set in an apocalypse. Music and art are all that hold this broken world together.
At first, it’s all black and white. But when Europa and her ghostly friend join forces, they not only return color to the world, but represent hope for a future.
Even though9 Years of Shadowsis pretty short and somewhat linear, it’s colorful and engaging. A great first attempt from Halberd Studios and indie.io.
8Panzer Paladin
Mech Knights Against Demons
Panzer Paladin
Strictly speaking,Panzer Paladindoesn’t categorize itself as a Metroidvania. But as someone who’s played a ton of the genre, I know a Metroidvania when I play one. And this game qualifies.
The game’s main hook is navigating levels in a giant mecha, jumping out to activate mechanisms and find secrets, and joining forces again to lay waste to armies of demons.
10 Best Cozy Metroidvanias You Need To Play
Challenge served with a side of cozy.
In many ways,Panzer Paladinalso feels like a classic arcade adventure, just on modern consoles. There are some harrowing boss battles all across the face of the planet. Heck, you’re able to even forge your own insane weapons to take into battle.
Not only is this a wonderful game, but it’s easily the best adventure developed by Tribute Games thus far.
7Gato Roboto
Metroidvania Catnip
Gato Roboto
It’s not often that my love of cats and playing amazing video games go hand in hand. But that’s exactly what happened inGato Roboto, a demented and hilarious Metroidvania from Devolver and developer Doinksoft.
What the game lacks in color, it more than makes up for with style. You play a teeny cat piloting a giant robotic suit. Arrayed against you are nefarious creatures and a twisted doctor who loves to experiment with animals.
Not only doesGato Robotofeature solid combat, but it’s fun to explore and solve puzzles as well. The only small complaint I have about the game is that there’s not more of it. I would have killed for DLC to explore further.
Despite that, this is a very well-made Metroidvania for all fans of felines.
6The Messenger
Time-Travelling Ninja
The Messenger
In many ways,The Messengerhas a split personality. When I first played the game, I assumed that the NES sections comprised the entire game. But half of the game is in the SNES style, which plays out much more like a traditional Metroidvania.
My issue with this, and the reason I didn’t rateThe Messengerhigher on this list, is that it handles the NES platforming much better than the SNES Metroidvania segments. Which is a bummer but doesn’t change the fact that this is a great adventure.
It almost plays like a more streamlined (but no less challenging) classicNinja Gaidengame. While I wish it had succeeded better at balancing the two halves of the experience, it’s still a game you need to experience from the team behindSea of Stars.
5Blasphemous 2
Repent, Sinners!
Blasphemous 2
I’m generally not drawn to Souls-like experiences. I feel they’re hard for hardness' sake, and that’s not necessarily a good idea.
But something about theBlasphemousgames drew me in, and they’ve succeeded in being a great example of a successful Metroidvania Souls-like.
10 Best Metroidvania Soulslikes
Brutally punishing combat and rewarding exploration? Sign me up!
Not only wasBlasphemous 2a wonderful and brutally hard adventure, but it managed to build on and eclipse the original game. It’s full of horrifying, Miracle-afflicted nightmares, and you’ll take solace in putting them to rest.
Even though the Penitent One’s task is a harrowing one, the game itself looks stunning. It oozes Gothic despair, and features some truly eye-catching pixelated visions.
4Momodora: Moonlit Farewell
Ring the Bell
Momodora: Moonlit Farewell
One of the series that best exemplify pixelated artwork isMomodora. And though I enjoyedReverie Under the Moonlight,Moonlit Farewellwas easily the best entry I’ve played in the series.
The game’s world is one of quiet contemplation, rocked by a demonic invasion after the ringing of a magical bell. It’s equal parts idyllic and dangerous, with the shadows hiding dark secrets.
Though the game is pretty challenging, you can tweak your playstyle with various powerful Sigils. This helps keep the combat fast-paced and well-balanced.
As for the artwork, it’s just stunning. You’ll appreciate everything from voluptuous Naga to derpy spiders, and everything in between.
3Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Survive the Tower
PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
DANGEN Entertainment
June 25, 2025
Before I playedAstalon: Tears of the Earth, I had already become a fan of the artwork of Matt Kap and LABS WORKS. In this game, I discovered perhaps the best adventure from the talented creator yet. But that said, it’s also incredibly difficult.
The setting is a post-apocalyptic world, and three heroes are trying desperately to save their village. There’s just one problem - the moment they get to a mysterious tower to put a stop to the destruction of their village, they get annihilated.
The good news is that one of the heroes made a deal with a devil called the Titan of Death. He’ll bring you back, for a price. But that’s the breaks, and you’ll need every bit of help you can get.
The best part ofAstalonis how you can switch between Arias the Fighter, Kyuli the Rogue, and Algus the Wizard, both for their combat prowess and to solve tricky puzzles. A tremendous Metroidvania worth pushing through the pain to experience.
2Axiom Verge
Ghost in the Machine
Axiom Verge
After getting my Vita, one of the first games I had to buy wasAxiom Verge. Not just because of the gorgeous art style, but because it was a Metroidvania created by a single person! Which is always something I find impressive.
Not only does the game feature wonderful artwork, but it’s an adventure that breaks some of the rules of the genre with the Glitch system. you may essentially make the game work in your favor in a novel and unique fashion.
Whether you’re fighting against horrifying biomechanical monsters, discovering the truth of this world, or just exploring, you’ll find something laudable inAxiom Verge.
While I was disappointed by the sequel, the first game is one you absolutely need to experience.
1Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
Me and My Genie
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
Over the years, I’ve played a lot of games I’ve enjoyed thanks to WayForward. But perhaps my favorite in a series I’ve grown to love wasShantae and the Pirate’s Curse.
This is arguably the onlyShantaegame that was a fully fledged Metroidvania. Not only that, but it featured a clever premise that turned expectations on their head and forced you to adapt.
Our favorite genie was stripped of her powers at the end of the last game, and has to acquire magical pirate relics to stand a chance. If that wasn’t exciting enough, she also teams up with her frenemy, Risky Boots!
Shantae and the Pirate’s Cursefeatures a charming story, solid gameplay, and simply gorgeous artwork. It’s a wonderful adventure, and one that I hope WayForward tries to replicate soon.
